Go Jennifer!
She will be a great District Attorney.
We are behind you 110 %.
Candidate steps up to fill Barr's shoes
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Comal County Chief Civil Prosecutor Jennifer Tharp announced her candidacy Friday to succeed Geoff Barr as the county’s district attorney.
Barr said last week that he would not be seeking re-election when his term expires in December 2010.
The 31-year-old Tharp, a Republican, has worked in the Comal County District Attorney’s office since April 2004.
“I was born and raised in this county, and I’m personally invested in making sure it’s as safe as it was when my husband and I grew up here,” she said. “I’m committed to having our office set the standard of what tough, efficient justice looks like in this state.”
Tharp began by prosecuting Justice of the Peace court cases under then District Attorney Dib Waldrip and worked her way up to eventually earn a promotion to chief civil prosecutor under Barr in 2007.
She also is a graduate of both New Braunfels High School and Texas Lutheran University, and earned her law degree from St. Mary’s University in 2003.
Before her career in county government, Tharp also worked in Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s general litigation division.
“I think Jennifer is the best qualified person to build on what we have here and continue our success,” Barr said last week.
As district attorney, Tharp said she would continue to pursue and prosecute a growing volume of cases.
“Last year our office prosecuted 2,300 felony and misdemeanor cases and we’re on pace to surpass that this year,” she said. “I believe my leadership will help us continue to meet the growing justice needs of this county.”
Her announcement comes after Barr said he had decided to pursue a legal career in the private sector starting in 2011.
“Geoff did an outstanding job and he will be missed, but I think Jennifer is the perfect person to take over that position and lead our district attorney’s office,” said Comal County Judge Danny Scheel in an Aug. 14 interview.
Tharp is thus far the only person running for the position, though the primary election is not until March. The general election will be held in November 2010.
